IN MEMORIAM: Rev. Peter M. Macaskill

Peter Macintosh Macaskill, friend of Newfoundlanders, navigator of the trusted mission boat Chalmers, and compassionate companion of the lonely, passed away at the age of 90.

Macaskill was born in 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, where he attended Guy Drummond School and Strathcona Academy, and then earned a B.A. from McGill University. In l946 he obtained a B.D. from McGill Theological College and in 1948 a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Macaskill began his ministerial career in 1948 by serving the United Church of Canada in Carmanville, Newfoundland. In l950 he accepted a call to serve the United Church of St. Anthony, Newfoundland. In the north he tramped through woods over rugged terrain and around swamps to call on people in regions not yet connected by roads.

In 1963 he accepted a call from Bedford United Church in the Eastern Townships in Quebec. His longest pastorate was in the United Church in Laval, Quebec, from 1968 to 1990.

Through the years, Macaskill had a growing number of contacts with Christian Reformed members, which led to him to join Montreal Christian Reformed Church. In 1990, Macaskill was granted ministerial status in the CRC and served as chaplain at Concordia University of Montreal. He retired in 2000.

Mascaskill was a widely liked and much appreciated pastor and theologian. In the course of his ministry he attended refresher courses at Calvin Theological Seminary and Regent College in Vancouver. He was kind and thoughtful in his relationships; he loved mercy and walked humbly with his God. The spiritual well-being of his parishioners was his uppermost concern.

He and his wife, Joyce, were known for their warm hospitality. They loved nature and were expert campers in Canada’s wilderness areas. They still tented well into old age. Peter taught English in remote regions of Labrador and Saskatchewan.

During their retirement years they lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they became a blessing to the membership of All Nations CRC, serving for one year as interim pastor and teaching new Canadians the English language.

Macaskill was predeceased by his son Donald. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, their children Wynne and Gord Macaskill Delany, Joanne Macaskill, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.